US Department of Commerce selects NPE2018 for 2018 International Buyer Program

The Plastics Industry Association (PLASTICS), Washington, has announced that its triennial show, NPE2018: The Plastics Show, the industry’s leading international plastics manufacturing exposition, was selected to participate in the 2018 International Buyer Program (IBP) by the U.S. Department of Commerce. As an IBP show, the association says NPE will have access to a global network of U.S. Department of Commerce trade professionals in more than 75 countries and across the United States to bridge the import/export gap and to recruit and bring qualified international buyers, representatives and distributors to its 2018 event.

The IBP is a joint government-industry effort under the jurisdiction of the Commerce Department’s International Trade Administration (ITA). Every year, the IBP results in approximately hundreds of millions of dollars in new business for U.S. companies and increased international attendance for participating U.S. trade show organizers, according to the association.

“We’re honored to again have the opportunity to participate in the International Buyers Program,” says PLASTICS President and CEO Bill Carteaux. “We have participated in the IBP since 2000. In those years we’ve increased international attendance 187 percent and now have international participation from 128 countries.”

He adds, “This program provides an exceptional business opportunity for our exhibitors to meet, network and develop business partnerships with international buyers, sales representatives and strategic partners, and provides them with a tremendous value-added service.”

The IBP will optimize international attendees’ experience by providing them with support and services they need to efficiently meet and conduct business with exhibiting brands, the association says. As a member of an official U.S. Embassy IBP Delegation, buyers will receive U.S. Embassy travel assistance, including registration and visa procedures, access to networking events and receptions, prearranged briefings and meetings customized according to buying interests and other attendee benefits and opportunities.

“The goal of this joint government-industry program is to support U.S. businesses and meet their objectives to grow internationally while facilitating introductions to interested international buyers,” says Vidya Desai, senior advisor for trade events, for the Commerce Department. “By bringing delegations to NPE 2018, we are able to assist NPE in their efforts to provide unique opportunities for U.S. exhibitors to navigate international prospects without having to incur added expense. By participating in this program, U.S. exhibitors are able to increase their exporting knowledge and identify options to expand market-share and grow their brands internationally.”

 During NPE2018, the IBP will maintain an official International Trade Center on the show floor, where foreign buyers can obtain assistance in identifying potential U.S. business partners and meet with U.S. companies, while U.S. exhibitors can take advantage of interpreter services and face-to-face export counseling from overseas U.S. Commercial Service to help bridge international barrier.

NPE is the only event in the plastics industry that has been selected in 2018 to participate in the IBP. For more information and to register for NPE2018, visit www.NPE.org. Connect with NPE2018 through Twitter, Facebook and LinkedIn for the latest #NPE2018 news and insights.